Paul Ince calls for Manchester United to dump Pogba in the summer
Paul Ince has called on Manchester United to end the 'Paul Pogba circus', backing manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to build a side based around the 'United Way.'
Pogba arrived at Old Trafford to much fanfare in 2016 after his then world record £89million move from Juventus saw him return to the club where he started his senior career.
But former Red Devils midfielder Ince is convinced that the French World Cup winner regretted his decision to return almost instantly.
'Let’s be honest, from day one he never truly settled back at United,' Ince said.
'To me, it says that he’s known in the back of his head all of this time that he knows he’s made the wrong decision. He sensed that going back to Old Trafford was simply a bad idea.
'If he was being honest, when he got there I think he’s gone to himself: ‘Hmm. This wasn’t what I’d built it up to be. Was this the right idea?’ Those feelings are still there now, he regrets his decision, and that’s clear.'
Ince compared Pogba's impact along with Bruno Fernandes, who has been a standout performer in the United midfield since his January arrival from Sporting Lisbon, insisting his inconsistent performances have not won fans over.
Criticising Pogba's professionalism, he also blamed those representing the star for bringing unnecessary attention to the club and claimed he had no future at Old Trafford.
'What’s disappointing is the way he’s acted, his behaviour and performances reflect that he’s been unsure about his decision, he added.'
'You compare that to Bruno Fernandes, and his arrival at United, and it’s crazy. He’s come in and hit the ground running fairly instantly, winning over the fans in the process.
'Pogba never did that, and his performances have been inconsistent to say the least.
'Sometimes they’ve been on the border of diabolical, and occasionally they’ve been brilliant. When you cost that kind of money as a player, fans expect you to be consistently great, especially when you’re playing for Man United. Their expectations are very high.
'The on the pitch performances, plus his behaviour off the pitch, with his agent and generally acting up, isn’t good for the club. So his time for me is up.'
This term Pogba has featured just eight times for the club owing to ankle injuries, and not since Boxing Day.
His contract runs out in the summer of 2021, with United having the option to extend it by a year. As well as calling on Solskjaer to quickly make a decision on the midfielder's future, Ince believes it's a shame that such a talent is going to waste at the club.
'If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to take the club forward, to build and to instil the ‘United Way’ back into the team, then Pogba’s actions don’t reflect that.
'It’s a shame, because he could’ve been a great player for the club, but he isn’t a great player at the moment. Ultimately, he’s a distraction and his behaviour impacts and damages the rest of the team.
'Now, if he was performing out of his skin every week and changing games, you could forgive him for his behaviour even when he’s being a nightmare, but he isn’t, so why bother? If he’s not performing, just let him go, get rid.
'The decision needs to be made, and quickly, because we can’t have another season of the Pogba circus. He wouldn’t even get in the side at the moment.'
Pogba arrived at Old Trafford to much fanfare in 2016 after his then world record £89million move from Juventus saw him return to the club where he started his senior career.
But former Red Devils midfielder Ince is convinced that the French World Cup winner regretted his decision to return almost instantly.
'Let’s be honest, from day one he never truly settled back at United,' Ince said.
'To me, it says that he’s known in the back of his head all of this time that he knows he’s made the wrong decision. He sensed that going back to Old Trafford was simply a bad idea.
'If he was being honest, when he got there I think he’s gone to himself: ‘Hmm. This wasn’t what I’d built it up to be. Was this the right idea?’ Those feelings are still there now, he regrets his decision, and that’s clear.'
Ince compared Pogba's impact along with Bruno Fernandes, who has been a standout performer in the United midfield since his January arrival from Sporting Lisbon, insisting his inconsistent performances have not won fans over.
Criticising Pogba's professionalism, he also blamed those representing the star for bringing unnecessary attention to the club and claimed he had no future at Old Trafford.
'What’s disappointing is the way he’s acted, his behaviour and performances reflect that he’s been unsure about his decision, he added.'
'You compare that to Bruno Fernandes, and his arrival at United, and it’s crazy. He’s come in and hit the ground running fairly instantly, winning over the fans in the process.
'Pogba never did that, and his performances have been inconsistent to say the least.
'Sometimes they’ve been on the border of diabolical, and occasionally they’ve been brilliant. When you cost that kind of money as a player, fans expect you to be consistently great, especially when you’re playing for Man United. Their expectations are very high.
'The on the pitch performances, plus his behaviour off the pitch, with his agent and generally acting up, isn’t good for the club. So his time for me is up.'
This term Pogba has featured just eight times for the club owing to ankle injuries, and not since Boxing Day.
His contract runs out in the summer of 2021, with United having the option to extend it by a year. As well as calling on Solskjaer to quickly make a decision on the midfielder's future, Ince believes it's a shame that such a talent is going to waste at the club.
'If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to take the club forward, to build and to instil the ‘United Way’ back into the team, then Pogba’s actions don’t reflect that.
'It’s a shame, because he could’ve been a great player for the club, but he isn’t a great player at the moment. Ultimately, he’s a distraction and his behaviour impacts and damages the rest of the team.
'Now, if he was performing out of his skin every week and changing games, you could forgive him for his behaviour even when he’s being a nightmare, but he isn’t, so why bother? If he’s not performing, just let him go, get rid.
'The decision needs to be made, and quickly, because we can’t have another season of the Pogba circus. He wouldn’t even get in the side at the moment.'
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